In naming our babies, we project our hopes, dreams, sensibility and personality. It’s never been more true than for the 2026 predictions. They can all be categorised under one theme: escapism. However, there’s many ways to escape reality. There’s nostalgia, imagination, science fiction, history and plain ole story telling churning out some exciting, sweet and very unique names. Now, these aren’t the names of every kid in the first Gen Beta kindergarten classes, the most popular baby names have real staying power (Oliver has been the number one baby name for 12 years running), but they’re the cool names that might feel really surprising at first, but start to become more and more prevalent. Taking the temperature of the society, and setting the trends. Here, we unpack the baby name trends expected to start appearing in “they’re here” posts in 2026.
TREND: Gods and heroes
Names: Arath, Aurelian, Azad, Atlas, Cassander, Cressida, Cyril, Freya, Hercules, Isidore, Johari, Linus, Loki, Marcella, Nefertari, Odysseus, Olympia, Perceus, Poseidon, Ramses, Tenoch, Vita, Xiadani
The reason you’ll use them: If you’re going to pick a name outside of the norm, having it grounded in history, myths and legends (or the ‘90s TV adaptations of them), isn’t a bad idea. Names pulled from the relics of ancient civilizations are always big names. They evoke power, loyalty, intelligence and bravery. Fertile ground for name digging, but also, culturally relevant for 2026 when the Winter Olympics will be held in Italy and Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of The Odyssey (which certainly won’t pass the Bechdel test, but will get people to cinemas) is released. These names will be given by parents who have high hopes for their children and the impact they’ll have on the planet in their lifetime: heroes of their age.
TREND: Showgirls
Names: Azure, Baby, Carmen, Cher, Cindy, Dolly, Dorothy, Farrah, Gypsy, Honey, Holiday, Josephine, Kitty, Lola, Marilyn, Marla, Nomi, Ophelia, Ruby, Roxie, Pricilla, Sabine, Seraphina, Velma, Vivianne, Zizi
The reason you’ll use them: Taylor Swift is a proven baby name influencer. Betty, Ines, Daisy, Marjorie, Este, Dorothea, even August, we’re in Taylor’s songs before making their way up the baby name charts. Swift's 2025 album, The Life of a Showgirl, is expected to be no different. The impact will see 2026 baby girls named Ophelia (gorgeous), Honey (so cute) and maybe even Opalite (it works!). The halo effect will no doubt bring names with showgirl (historical and fictional) connotations to expecting parent’s shortlists. Farrah, Marilyn (or even Monroe), Cher, Roxie and Sabine inspire beauty, glamour but also strength and grit. Not unlike Taylor herself, no?
TREND: Boomer basics
Names: Betsy, Bruce, Connie, Dinah, Ginny, Hal, Jay, John, Mary, Nancy, Patti, Peter, Susan, Ralph, Robin, Wayne, Wes
The reason you’ll use them: There is a theory known as the 100 Year Rule for baby names. In short, it says a name comes back in style every 100 years. But like with fashion trends, the name cycle has sped up. So much so, that names from the Baby Boomer generation (those that were popular about 70 years ago) are starting to feel cool again. Recently, several influencers have welcomed babies with the names Patti, Beverly, and Bruce which peaked charts in the in the 1950s. In 2026, some babies may be names directly after their own grandparents, while others may have ‘70s and ‘80s icons to credit for the inspiration, but these names will appeal most to parents who want something original. There is a bold freshness and charm to these names when juxtaposed to the Olivers, Charlottes, Jacks and Isabellas that currently reign the popular baby name lists.
TREND: Romantasy
Names: Alistar, Ambrose, Calista, Cassian, Cordelia, Dashiell, Elspeth, Emrys, Esmarie, Evander, Lilivere, Lysander, Magnus, Odelia, Oriane, Rafe, Rune, Thoren
The reason you’ll use them: Already credited with getting so many people reading again, Romantasy is the genre expected to start influencing preschool role calls in the next few years. These names are similar to the Gods and Heroes list, but reference 20th and 21st century stories rather than BC ones. Case in point: Cassian, popularised by romance-fantasy series A Court of Thorns and Roses, has been one of the fastest-rising names in recent years. These names often have Scandinavian or Welsh routes, feel ornate and ethereal, but substantial enough to hold a trilogy, at least.
TREND: Numbers
Names: Billion, Cinco, Dua, Eleven, Five, Ivy, Million, Octave, Octavia, Octavian, Otto, Prima, Primo, Quade, Seven, Sevyn, Thirteen, Tres, Una, Uno, Zero
The reason you’ll use them: Parents today are not afraid to push the boat out. Where generations before would have denoted a new male in a family of John Williams, “John Williams Jnr.” or “John William V”, today’s offspring might be just called “Five” or, if Latin heritage was apparent, “Cinco”. We’re always looking for new or original ways to pay homage to a family member or family tradition without being too literal about it. Sapphire rather than Antonia (because it was Grandma Antonia’s birthstone), Lucky rather than Stephen (because that was dad’s childhood nickname) or Seven rather than Frank (because that was great-grandad’s number when he played football). Yes, numbers are part of this trend too. Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker followed this logic when they named their son Rocky Thirteen (because he was the thirteenth grandchild in the Kardashian family), and Nick Cannon is one of many artists with a child named after a really big number: Zillion Heir. Whether it’s used in the first or middle name, this number trend is starting to add up!
TREND: Anime
Names: Akira, Ash, Haru, Jinu, Kei, Kenji, Luna, Mire, Nami, Rei, Ren, Rumi, Saja, Taro, Yuki, Yumi, Yuna
The reason you’ll use them: If you don’t already have a primary-school aged child, you may have missed the Netflix mega hit K-Pop Demon Hunters which dominated make-believe games, Spotify playlists, Halloween costumes and Christmas lists this year. Jinu and Mira, from the film are names expected to rise, but Rumi, will undoubtedly be the most popular. Beyonce used it for her little girl back in 2017, but Demon Hunters will be the catalyst to shoot it into the top 100, especially for new babies who have older, school-age siblings. Adding to this trend is other anime-esq names. While anime is traditionally Japanese, this trend is less culturally specific and driven by anime fans from a multitude of backgrounds.
TREND: Austen Era
Names: Austen, Bennett, Bronte, Cedric, Charles, Cressida, Ellis, Elinor, Estella, Darcy, Georgiana, Harriet, Heath, James, Jane, Lenora, Luciana, Magdalena, Pandora, Posy, Rory, Theresa, Wilde, Zadie
The reason you’ll use them: For some, Austen and the Bronte sisters’ volumes are never far from hand (or heart), but in 2026 the Regency Era with it’s strict social rules and deep heartaches will be on everyone’s content plate with Dolly Alderton’s series adaptation of Pride and Prejudice hitting Netflix, The Other Bennet Sister getting rave reviews and a new Sense and Sensibility film. Austen have been born 250 years ago, but her influence lingers. These names are always respectable, a bit grand, and, have the cutest nicknames attachments: Charles becomes Cub, Cubby or Bear, Cressida becomes Essie, Luciana becomes Lulu, Pandora becomes Panda, Bennett becomes Bee, Elizabeth becomes Bitsy or Bess, Cecelia becomes Sissy, Elinor becomes Nell… Never forget, the British, especially the posh British, love a twee nickname.
